Print toner bath and feed construction for photocopier devices

ABSTRACT

A toner bath apparatus including a tray having a curved upper surface open which a sheet of exposed, sensitized paper travels, and a toner spray device extending above the curved tray and dispensing an elongated spray of toner of substantial angular extent whereby the spray impinges upon the surface of the paper and forces it to conform to the curvature of the tray.

United States Patent David L. Herman 63 Catherine Road, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 763,242

Sept. 27, 1968 Mar. 2, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented PRINT TONER BATH AND FEED CONSTRUCTION FOR PHOTOCOPIER DEVICES 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figs.

US Cl. 118/304, 1 18/419 Int. Cl 1305c 5/00 Field of Search 117/37 (LX); 355/10; 95/89, 97; 118/637 (LA), 429, 304, 419

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,202,526 8/1965 Ostensen (l l8/637UX) 3,249,088 5/ 1966 Ostensen .t

Primary Examiner-John P. McIntosh Attorneys-James A. Drobile and Robert Sherman Bramson ABSTRACT: A toner bath apparatus including a tray having a curved upper surface open which a sheet of exposed, sensitized paper travels, and a toner spray device extending above the curved tray and dispensing an elongated spray of toner of substantial angular extent whereby the spray impinges upon the surface of the paper and forces it to conform to the curvature of the tray.

PRINT TONER BATH AND FEED CONSTRUCTION FOR PHOTOCOPIER DEVICES This invention relates generally to the'field of electrostatic and other type photocopy devices in which the exposed sheet which forms the copy is subjected to the action of a liquid activator, either in the form of a carbon particle bearing toner solution, or other developing agents. In prior art devices, the exposed sheet is mechanically moved from an exposure station to the point of activation by mechanical means, and the activation process normally requires the immersion of the sheet in the liquid chemical. To achieve this end, the device is provided with a tank or tray, and guide means are provided to force the sheet into the contents of' the tray, such guide means usually extending down to the level of the toner or other solution. Using such constructions, whether the sensitized surface is faced upwardly or downwardly, such surface will come into contact with the guides, and marring-of the sensitized surface, through abrasion or prevention of contact with the toner solution is a common problem.

It is, therefore, among the principal'objects of the present invention to provide an improved construction in which it is unnecessary to contact the sensitized surface of the copy paper during the period in which it is subjected to the action of the toner bath, thereby eliminating the possibility of marring or failure to fully subject the surface to the action of the toner solution.

Another object of the invention lies inthe provision of improved structure of the class described which may be readily Transport means 19 serves to move the paper 18 to the toning station 12, and is operated by a driven belt 20 engaging a pulley 21. Driven pulleys 22 and 23 support a series of paper transport belts, one of which isindicated by reference character 24 which operate in conjunction with a paper drive roller 25 driven by a belt 26 from a-pulley 27. A main drive belt 28 driven by a prime mover 29 rotates the shaft upon which the pulley 27 is disposed for rotation therewith.

The print toning station 12 includes an upper paper guide 30, an activating tank 31 (FIG. I), a reservoir element 32, a

recirculating pungip 33 and print transport means 34.

The upper gui e includes an angularly d posed surface 36 adapted to engage the upper surface of the paper 18. It operates in conjunction with a curved guide 37 adapted to overlie a portion of the tank 31. The tank 31 is of rectangular configuration, and includes a sidewall 38 having drain means 39 communicating with the element 32. A conduit 40 circulates toner (not shown) to the pump 33, and a second conduit incorporated into existing prior art devices with a minimum of modification and expense. v

Yet another object'of the invention lies in the provision of improved print toner bath and feed construction, possessed of the above advantages, which utilizes the spraying of the toner or developing solution in a downward direction to impinge upon the upwardly facing sensitized surface of the copy sheet, whereby theforce of the spray serves as a guiding means to proper immersion in the activating tray,

A feature of the described embodiment lies in the fact that the above described guiding means requires no moving parts.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more clearly appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an actuating tray forminga part of the disclosed embodiment; and;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic view of the disclosed embodiment.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadlyrA print exposure station 11, a print toning or actuating station I2, and a print drying station I3 leading to print exit means 14;

41 conveys the same to an elongated hollow toner-dispensing member 42, which overlies the container 31. The member 42 is provided with a plurality of, dispersant openings 43 adapted to spray in an arcuately shaped pattern to fall. upon a correspondingly arcuately shaped supportingtray 44 within the container 31. To reduce friction, the upper surface of the tray 44, may be provided with print-supporting ridges 45, as is well known in the art. It will be observed that aside from contact with the guide 30, the upper surface of the paper 18 is not physically contacted other than by toner solution during its course of travel over the tray 44.

During operation, an exposedlength of paper 18 upon striking the guide 30 is deflected downwardly to enter the area above the tray 44. As it moves, it is contacted by spray emanating from the member 42, the impact of which tends to deflect it downwardly while simultaneously wetting the emulsion or coating on the upper surface of the paper. With proper operation, the level of the toner or actuator, indicated by reference character 48 within the container 38 is such that the entire upper surface of the paper will be bathed therein for a suitable period of time as the paper passes to the drying station 13.

Upon exiting from the toning station 12, the sheet passes to the drying station 13 where it is subjected to the action of warm air wherein the remaining volatile solvent phase of the toner is dried.

Iclaim:

1. Improved print toner bath and feed construction for use with a photocopying device comprising: An activating tank having means for the maintenance of an activating liquid therein at predetermined level, said tan having an upwardly disposed generally rectangular opening, an arcuately shaped tray disposed within said opening, paper guiding means leading to said opening, toner-dispensing means overlying said opening, and having means for spraying toner in a spray which is coextensive with a substantial portion of said. opening and has an angularly directed discharge of substantial extent onto said tray, whe'rebyupon the operation of said spraying means, and the introduction of an exposed .copy sheet to said guiding I means, said copy sheet is curved; to .c'onforrn to the-arcuate The print exposure station 11. includes abed 16 of the device, an upper surface 17 of which lies within the focal plane of image projection means (notshown) to support a length of paper 18 for exposure either 'in sheet or web form.

configuration of said tray' to be immersed in liquid toner by the downward force of the -spray emanating from said tonerdispensing means. 

1. Improved print toner bath and feed construction for use with a photocopying device comprising: An activating tank having means for the maintenance of an activating liquid therein at predetermined level, said tan having an upwardly disposed generally rectangular opening, an arcuately shaped tray disposed within said opening, paper guiding means leading to said opening, toner-dispensing means overlying said opening, and having means for spraying toner in a spray which is coextensive with a substantial portion of said opening and has an angularly directed discharge of substantial extent onto said tray, whereby upon the operation of said spraying means, and the introduction of an exposed copy sheet to said guiding means, said copy sheet is curved to conform to the arcuate configuration of said tray to be immersed in liquid toner by the downward force of the spray emanating from said toner-dispensing means. 